A Hotham woman has been handed a 16-week suspended prison sentence after fraudulently claiming over £22,000 in benefits.

Yvonne Credland, 56, of Main Street, Hotham, appeared at Beverley Magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, affecting her entitlement to council tax benefit and jobseekers allowance.

The case was brought to court following a joint investigation by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions who discovered that Credland had failed to declare that she had received a £112,000 inheritance in 2009.

Magistrates sentenced Credland to a 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered her to pay £85 towards costs.

In addition, she also has to repay the £22,130.55 she fraudulently claimed between January 2009 and March 2013.

Jeff Taylor, principal fraud investigation and enforcement officer at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Those who choose to deliberately commit benefit fraud should be aware that it is only a matter of time before they are brought before the courts.

“The public are the victims of benefit fraud and I urge East Riding residents to report their suspicions to us, providing as much information as possible.”

Anyone who suspects benefit fraud in the East Riding can call the 24-hour benefit fraud hotline in confidence on (01482) 394949, text 07786 200850 or email benefit.fraud@eastriding.gov.uk

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